Oiling system



March 79 i950 E. w. DAVIS,

OILING SYSTEMl E. W. DAVIS OILING SYSTEM March 79 E950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July i9, 1,945

Vie EL Lade/@1m Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES 8 Claims.

My invention relates generally vto lubricating apparatus, and more particularlyto a centralized oiling system.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved oiling system fwhich: can f .be manufactured at low cost and 7which, .provides eflicient, dependable, and otherwise satisfactory lubrication of a plurality of bearings.

A further object is toprovide an improved centralized oil-ing system'which-.utilizes iiow restricting resistance outlets for metering the oil-supplied to a. plurality of bearings -located at i diiierent elevations yand different distances from the pump.

A further Objectis to .provide `an improved `low resistance ntting in whichit is lunnecessaryto provide a check valve. to preventsyphoning.

In lubricating systems of the prior 'art utilizing oil and in which the; relative#quantitiesy supplied to the bearings being lubricated was determined by provision of flow restricting.resistanoeaf it was necessary to yprovide eachfoutlet, with. a Vcheck valve to prevent reverse fiow due to the syphoning effect. When the outlets were not located at exactly the same elevation, and it is not usual that they would be at the same height,.difliculty was experienced in preventingsyphoning of oilfrom a conduit leading. to an elevated outlet or bearing to an outlet at a lower level, during the periods be tween lubricating operations. To prevent such syphoning action, it hasbeenv customary toemploy a check valve in each of the outlets. HOW- ever, such check valves frequently failed -to seat properly due to the presence of linty or otherfioreign particles in the oil, and syphoning was therefore not always avoided. v

In the system of myv inventiomthe resistance unit outlets are arranged in groups, all of the units of the group being at thesame elevation, and each group supplied from vthe conduit system by a separate charge measuring vdevice, provided with a check valve ofsuch large Contact area with its seat, and of such iiexibility that y.it performs satisfactorily even though-lint or other foreign particles lodge between the `valve and its seat.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide an improved method of equalizing the flow eiTect of different resistance outlets located rat Various distances from the pump which supplies the system with oil. In prior oiling systems of this class, ithas been customary to employ resistance outlets having relatively high resistanca so that the proportional effect of the .line resistance does not have apredominating action in determining the rate of flow. Butinthe oiling system of this invention, the resistance outletsghavevrelatively QA'ENT OFFICE low resistance, the ow restricting passageways are larger, and the tendency to clog, due to foreign particles in the oil, is reduced to aminimum. Such low resistance outlets are usable in this oiling system because the oil pressure supplied thereto is reducedfto a predetermined low pressure, `and the low pressure is usable because all the resistance outlets in any individual group are located -at the same elevation.

The invention is illustrated in the drawings, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view of an exemplary centralized lubricating'system embodying the irlvention;

`Fig. 2 iragmentarysectional view of the manifold unit used to supply oner group of .bearings,.the figure beingito an enlarged scale;

.Fig 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line-f-S of.. Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 4 4 of-Fig. 3.

The lubricating system is illustrated as comprising a lubricant reservoir H3 in which is located an electrically operated pump supplied with currentfirom line wires in an electrical conduit i2. The pump is arranged to operate intermittently as by a suitable-time switch, so that lubricant under pressure is disohargedthrough a conduit M at suitable spaced intervals, the frequency depending upon the characterA of the machine or machines being lubricated by the system. The conduit id is suitably connected to a plurality of primary nov/metering or regulating devices consisting of `.measuring valves I8 which in turn are connected tov supply lubricant to manifold units i8, illustrated .as three in number, but which might be of any number required.

.Each of the measuring valves l,.as shown in Fig. comprises a body 2i] having an inlet port 22 surrounded by a large valve seat/24. A valve 26 is pressed against the seat .Zlby a spring 28. A nipple 3K5 is threaded inthe body 2i?4 and has an outlet port 37E-surrounded by a valve seat 34. The body 2] is provided with a depending cylindery 36 in which a piston 5S is reciprocable, the piston 33 being preferably a cup-shaped washer ofleather or synthetic rubber suitably securedto a piston stem di. rIhe stem 4Q is guided in a `cap 42 threaded in the lower end oi therbody 20,' and is urged upwardlyby a compressed coil spring 44.

The length of the stroke of the vpiston may be adjustably limited by ran' adjustingscrew 46, the end of whichiorms a stop for the piston rod 4B. The cylinder 36 is normally in communication with theoutletport 32-by way-.ola portd.

The valve 26 is preferably made of a relatively soft synthetic rubber substitute which is not deteriorated by contact with oil, such as Thiokol, neoprene, and the like.

The manifold unit I8 may be in the form of a body casting 50 having a manifold passageway 52 communicating with the port 32 in the fitting 30, and having its other end closed by a suitable plug 54. A plurality of secondary flow metering or regulating devices or fittings 56 are threaded in the body 50 and provide outlets from the manifold 52. v

As best shown in Fig. 4, each of the fittings 5 comprises an externally threaded shank 58, a hexagonal wrench engaging portion 6U, and a conical drop forming tip 62. The shank portion 58 is provided with an internal helical groove 64 for the flow of lubricant, the passageway being completed by a closed end cylindrical shell 56 pressed into place. The oil may thus enter the upper end of the helical passageway 64, flow downwardly through the spiral groove, and enter a pocket 68.

A passageway l0 leads from the pocket 88 to the external surface of the conical portion 62. This passageway is of relatively small diameter, in the order of .03", so that when lubricant is not being forced through the resistance unit, a meniscus 'i4 will form at the outer end of this passageway and the surface tension of the oil will, in effect, result in this meniscus operating as a check valve, preventing entrance of air. Thus, while the mariifold units I8 should be mounted so that the outlets of the passageways 'l0 of the different resistance units are at the same elevation, in actual practice there may be some deviation from this desirable condition, due to inaccuracies of manufacture and installation. In such circumstances there would be a tendency for the oil to syphon from the lowermost resistance fitting 53, and air would thus flow into the fitting at the highest elevation if it were not for the fact that the passageways 'I0 are so small that the surface tension is capable of maintaining the meniscus at the end of the passageway 1U against the suction effect provided by a head of an inch or so of oil. Thus, it is not essential that the outlets of the passageways 10 of the different resistance units be at exactly the same level.

The oil flowing from the passageway 10 of each of the fittings collects in a drop at the point of its conical portion 62 and drips therefrom into one of a plurality of funnel-like depressions 18 formed in a base 80 suitably secured to the casting 50. Each of the funnel-like depressions 18 is connected by a conduit 82 to a bearing 8| to be supplied with oil. One side of the casting 50 has an opening 82 covered by a glass or plastic window pane 84 held in place by a frame 86. A vent port 81 (Fig. 3) in the casting 50 may be provided to assure that the drip chamber will be maintained at atmospheric pressure.

In operation of the apparatus, upon each application of pressure the valves 26 are forced away from their seats 24 and against the seats 34, and oil under pressure flowing past these valves and through ports 48 enters the cylinders 36 and forces the pistons 38 downwardly to the extent permitted by their adjusting screws 4B. As soon as lubricant flow past any of the valves 24 ceases, this valve is forced tightly against its seat by the spring 26, thereby permitting the spring pressed piston 38 to force the oil in the cylinder 35 through ports 48 and 32 into the manifold passageway 52. Oil is thereby simultaneously forced through the helical passageways 64 of the different units and drips therefrom into the funnel-shaped depressions 78 and flows through the conduits 82 to the Various bearings.

The fact that the system is operating properly may readily be observed through the window 84. The timing of the applications of oil pressure to the system will generally be so related to the rate at which oil is to be supplied to the various bearings that the pistons 38 will have discharged the oil from their cylinders 36 before the pump again supplies oil under pressure tothe system.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following claims, to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

l. In a centralized lubricating system having a conduit system and a pump intermittently supplying oil under pressure to the conduit system, the combination of an oil measuring valve connected to the conduit system, a manifold receiving oil from' the measuring valve, a plurality of resistance units connected to the manifold, each of said units comprising means forming a flow restricting passageway and an outlet, the outlets of the various resistance units being at substantially the same lever, and means to convey oil flowing from the resistance unit outlets to different bearings.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1, in which the outlets of the resistance units are of such small size that syphoning is prevented due to the surface tension of the oil at the outlet.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1, in which each of the resistance units is provided with a drop forming tip and in which the drop forming tips are enclosed in a compartment at atmospheric pressure having a window, and in which the drops from the tips are collected in depressions formed in the oor of the compartment and in which conduit means connect the depressions in the floor with the parts to be lubricated respectively.

4. In a centralized lubricating system having a conduit system and a pump intermittently supplying oil under pressure to the conduit system, the combinationl of an oil measuring valve connected to the conduit system to receive a predetermined charge of oil while the oil is under pressure in the conduit system and to discharge the oil at relatively low pressure during the intervals when the oil in the conduit system is not under pressure, a manifold connected to, and receiving oil from, the measuring valve, a plurality of ilow resistance units connected to the manifold, each of said units comprising means forming a flow restricting passageway and an outlet, the outlets of the various resistance units being at substan tially the same level, and means to convey oil flowing from the resistance unit outlets to different bearings.

5. In a centralized oiling system having an oil pump intermittently discharging oil under pressure and an oil conduit system connected with the pump to receive intermittent discharges of oil therefrom, the combination of a plurality of primary metering units-each connected with the oilconduit and each receiving oil therefrom, a ceive the intermittent discharge of oil thereplurality of discharge manifolds, each connected from the combination of a plurality of displacewithone of said primarymetering units and each'i? yment type measuring Valves, and a plurality 0f receiving a metered discharge of oil from its re groups of resistance devices, each having a flow spetive primary metering unit; for each int restricting oil passageway therein, said measurmittent discharge of oil-from the oil pump, andtv e ing VelVeS being COImeCted in multiple to Said a'plurality of groups of secondary metering unit Oil line, and each measuring valve being C011- each group being connected with one of said dis nected in series with one of said groups 0f recharge manifolds and :receiving 011 therefrom sistance devices, said resistance devices in each and each said secondary'metering unit havingl'afl() group being connected in multiple.

:capillary discharge outlet discharging into at-v mosphere, and all saidrlischarge outlets of an single group being positioned at approximat fthe oil menisci at saidputlets prevent syphonin of oil from one discharge-outlet to another duif 8. In a centralized oiling system having an oil pump intermittently discharging oil under pressure and an oil line connected with the pump to receive oil therefrom, the combination of a plurality of groups of resistance outlets, each outlet having a flow restricting oil passageway the time intervals between said intermittent d therein, and a displacement metering device 00ncharges of on into Samedischarge manifolds 5 nected between said oil line and each group of 5 In a centralizedroiling System having anni; resistance outlets, each metering device includthe same elevation, whereby the surface tension vpump for intermittently discharging 011 undjf 20 ing discharging mechanism operative to produce pressure and an oil ,Qcnduit connected with-the a relatively 10W predetermined outlet pressure. pump te receive intermittent discharges er ,il whereby the Oil pressure supplied to each said therefrom, the combination of a plurality of ipiigroup of resistance outlets is determined by said mary ow regulating devices each connected with predetermined 10W pressure and not by the Dresthe oil conduit and each receiving oil therefijdrn'; 25 Sure in the oil line or of the pump Supplying Oil said primary ow regulating devices compris fg theretO.

displacement measuring valves, and a groupio'f ERNEST W. DAVIS.

'secondary flow regulating devices for eachsaid primary ow regulating device, each said secpridv REFERENCES CITED '3W fiOW regulating device receiving Oil froiii'its 30 The following references are of record in the said secondary ow 'regulating devices comprisrespective primary flow regulating device, and al1 me of this patent;

ing 110W restricting passageways, whereby oil dis'- UNITED STATES PATENTS charged by said pump is first measured by dis- Number Name Date placement and then proportioned by resistance. 35 1,905,527 Thomas Apr, 25, 1933 7. In a centralized oiling system having fari-oil 1,968,017 Davis July 31, 1934 pump intermittently discharging oil underjpres- 1,996,912 Ericson Apr. 9, 1935 sure and an oil line connected to the pump to're- 2,363,754 Smith Nov. 28, 1944 

